2 dead, 6 injured in mass shooting at Halloween celebrations in downtown Orlando

A 17-year-old suspect was arrested in the shooting, police said

Two people were killed and six others were injured in a shooting on Halloween night in Orlando, Florida.

Police said they received reports of gunfire in downtown Orlando in the area of ​​Orange Avenue and Central Blvd at approximately 1:07 a.m. local time on Friday, November 1.

“Within minutes, a second shooting was assisted by officers south of Washington Street on Orange Avenue,” the Orlando Police Department shared in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

Speaking at a press conference shared by local media FOX 35 OrlandoOrlando Police Chief Eric Smith confirmed that two people died and six others were taken to the hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds.

“Those victims are currently in stable condition,” Smith said of the injured, who were transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center.

According to the statement, the victims are between 19 and 39 years old.

A suspect was found shortly after the shooting and arrested. Police identified him as 17-year-old Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, according to the release.

“He was previously arrested for grand theft in 2023,” Smith said.

Police are continuing to investigate the shooting. “As we gather more information, we’ll give you another update,” Smith said.

According to local media WKMG-TV and NBC NewsSmith said between 50,000 and 100,000 people may have been downtown celebrating Halloween at the time of the shooting.

“Nearly 100 officers were patrolling downtown at the time of the shooting due to the large expected Halloween crowd,” the statement added.

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Before the press conference, Orlando police posted about the shooting on X (formerly known as Twitter).

“The Orlando Police Department is conducting an investigation into the shooting in downtown Orlando,” the post read. “We are still gathering information and interviewing witnesses. We will have more information later this morning.”

The post was followed by a update reading: “UPDATE: Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith will provide an update to the media from OPD headquarters at 4:45”